Content Table

PDF is one of the most popular document formats in the world because of its wide-range acceptance and easy content integration. But it has its own share of problems when it comes to editing and conversions. PDF (Portable Document Format) is easily the most acceptable document format in the world. This is primarily because of PDFs not needing any specific software to open and has a very good integration capability when it comes to graphical information. But this wide range compatibility leads to PDFs being poor in editing capability. Particularly with complex software, editing and converting PDFs can prove to be a very challenging task.Get in touch with our experts to know more about Construction DocumentationE-mail:cad@bluentcad.comUS:+1 (832) 476 8459Canada:+1 (647) 478 5230Query:Work with experts

CAD (Computer Aided Design) software like AutoCAD (the most popular CAD software) has their own set of compatible file formats. The most famous formats supported by AutoCAD are DWG and DXF. DWG has been the native file format of AutoCAD whereas DXG is more of an open standard.

Why is the conversion of PDF to CAD compatible format needed?

The conversion of PDF to CAD compatible formats provides a starting platform for various future design processes, especially in cases where renovation, extension or addition is needed on an existing structure. This conversion is needed when the original designs have been misplaced/lost or corrupted. It might also be needed if the project is of older than the technology itself. It basically serves as a backup mechanism in all of these scenarios.

Converting PDF to CAD compatible formats (DWG/DXG)

CAD uses DWG or DXF file formats to store two and three-dimensional data of a design in an efficient manner. In contrast to PDF format, which acts more like paper prints, the CAD files store a heavy amount of data which benefits the design professionals. In present times, there is software which provides this facility to convert the PDF files to proper CAD compatible files but the challenges still remain since there are complications which can arise while doing so.

Top Challenges in the conversion of PDF to CAD compatible formats

The job of PDF to CAD conversion is a complex process since good software and skilled professionals are required to produce excellent converted drawings which will provide a base for construction projects. There are some important challenges which are faced by people involved in this job.

PDF Vector Graphics The vector graphics of PDF format is limited. There are no Circle entities or CAD Arc in a vector PDF file. The Circles and Arcs are either made up out of Bezier curves or several short lines (both of them are very difficult to edit). The solution lies in using a high-quality conversion software which can reinstate the short lines and the Bezier curves with true arc and circles to ensure the top quality of the converted document.

Conversion of line types The PDF file can contain line types defined by the user which might comprise of a sequence of dots and dashes of varying length and order. The conversion of these lines efficiently is a difficult task and has to be carried out efficiently since a misinterpretation can lead to a lot of confusions in the later stages. The solution lies in using a CAD conversion solution which is capable of identifying correct sequences of dashes and dots and also can determine the width and length of the lines efficiently.

Proper handling of Text It is regarded as one of the most common problems of the PDF-CAD conversion. This happens because PDFs hold words and sentences as a string of individual characters, and each character with specific associated positional and style information. Improper conversion of text can lead to an unclear and illegible drawing, rendering the final output inefficient. The solution lies in using a conversion software solution which has something called OCR or Optical Character Recognition. OCR works from a database pattern and is able to detect characters and create editable text strings. This helps in rendering text correctly.

Multiple Raster Files This occurs because separate raster files are generated for each raster image in case of ordinary PDF-CAD conversion. This makes editing and storing the drawings a challenging task.

This should be avoided by using a high-quality conversion software and skilled professionals so that all the raster images can be mapped into a single raster file and is suitable for editing/storing the file efficiently.

In conclusion, using a proper conversion software and having a professionally skilled team is crucial for proper conversion of PDF files into CAD supported formats. This is exactly where we come into the picture. With years of experience in this industry, our team at BluEnt is capable of solving all your issues regarding the conversion of PDFs to CAD formats.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name*

Email*

Website

Comment

Tagged as:

Sign up here !

Get an update on what inspires us in our work in the technology space. We’d love to drop in your inbox and excite you with our fresh take in Construction Documentation, 3D Renderings, Millwork Services, Shop Drawings, BIM - Revit Services, CAD Services and much more. But we promise, we won’t bore you.

Categories

About BluEntCAD

BluEntCAD performs CAD drawing, drafting and modelling for homebuilders, contractors, architects and architectural design firms based in the USA, Australia and Canada. Our capability sourcing unit in India supports furniture manufacturers with a wide of range of services related to shop drawings and millwork detailing.

BluEntCAD is proud to be associated with the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Architectural Evangelist, the Global Fraternity of Architects (GFA), and the World of Project Management Professionals (WPMP).